writer, editor, & animal lover

9 Vegan Holiday Recipes & Ideas for Non-Vegans

I’m lucky enough to have wonderful friends who make sure there’s something for me—the vegan—to eat at their holiday party or when I come over for dinner. Usually, they ask me what can I buy or make. People have asked me if peanut butter and tortilla chips are vegan (yes and yes). Honestly, it makes me happy that people ask!

I’d rather they ask me than have to eat a few bites of air and stare at my empty plate. Plus, I think it’s helpful for people to know that yes, there are tons of great vegan options.

So, I wanted to make a list of a few resources for the non-vegans that won’t be scary, like making you figure out what nutritional yeast is or understanding what the heck we can and can not eat.

1) Vegan Marshmallows
A friend was kind enough to include me in a s’mores station by picking up Sweet & Sara vanilla marshmallows for me at Whole Foods. Dandies are also great, too. Why aren’t marshmallows vegan? Regular mallows have gelatin in them, which is made from animal bones. Yeah, really.

2) Hummus and Crudités & Chips and Guacamole
These are the simplest appetizers that are also vegan. Really simple. Most grocery stores should have them. Same goes for chips and salsa.

3) Easy Vegan Recipes
One of my friends had me and Brendan over for dinner and simply Googled, “easy vegan dinner.” That night, she made soba noodles in a coconut milk sauce with stir-fried tofu. Yum! The number one question people ask me is where to find simple vegan recipes, so here are my favorite food blogs.

Chef Chloe. Chloe Coscarelli’s Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are such a hit every time I make them. She makes vegan cooking so easy.

Post Punk Kitchen. Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a badass who has great recipes on her site. Make them all!

Chocolate-Covered Katie. A non-vegan friend turned me on to this dessert-based blog. Everything is delicious. I’m a fan of her baked oatmeals and black bean brownies.

4) Yes, Chocolate is Vegan
Dark chocolate is usually vegan. Just check the ingredients to make sure there’s no milk. Oreos, Twizzlers, and candy canes are all accidentally vegan. Perfect for holiday parties!

5) Vegan Cookies and Pie
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have a nice selection of pre-made vegan goodies. No need to freak out about egg substitutions. Though, if you want some ways to sub for eggs, here you go.

6) Homemade Bread
There’s nothing like a loaf of homemade bread. At a recent holiday dinner party, I feasted on delicious bread. Who needs turkey when you have warm, doughy bread?

7) Vegan Cheese
Whole Foods now has a nice selection of vegan cheeses. My friend was kind enough to buy a block of vegan cheese, so I could partake of the cheese and crackers platter. You don’t know how happy this made me. Want some vegan cheese ideas? Here you go!